Arkansas trolls Kentucky using viral Reed Sheppard outfit after win
Arkansas upset No. 12 Kentucky 89-79 in Rupp Arena in John Calipari’s return to Lexington and they used a viral post to get the last laugh on social media.
Former Kentucky star Reed Sheppard, who played for Calipari at Kentucky, showed up to the game with an Arkansas shirt and Kentucky shorts. Clearly, he loves his coach.
But the Razorbacks’ social media team was genius with their Twitter caption, using the photo of Reed.
“Hogs on top,” it read.
Sheppard played in 33 games last season for Kentucky, averaging 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. There were initially discussions of him returning to Lexington for another year but he wound up declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft. Had he stayed with Kentucky, Sheppard would be playing under a different head coach.
As for who he wants to win the game itself, you have to imagine Sheppard was cheering for Kentucky over Arkansas, the school he grew up rooting for. But there’s nothing wrong showing support for the guy who recruited and coached you there.
Adou Thiero led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds while Johnell Davis added 18 points, five rebounds and six assists in this one.
DJ Wagner added 17 points, three rebounds and eight assists.
At different points of the game, Calipari actually still thought he was still playing at home. During his postgame press conference, he would look up at the scoreboard and see Arkansas with the lead and Kentucky down. In his mind, it means there was still work to be done before realizing he was now a Razorback.
Thiero did the same thing.
“It’s not easy to win here,” Calipari said. “I looked up a couple of times and I thought we were losing because I looked at Kentucky and not Arkansas. Adou [Thiero] did the same thing.”
You cannot blame Calipari for the mistake. After all, he spent 15 seasons calling Rupp Arena home. Every time he was looking for the score, “Kentucky” was the main focus. Being in the heat of battle probably did not give him a second to think until realizing he was now with Arkansas.
Now at 13-8, Calipari and Arkansas will be back in action Wednesday at Texas, looking to get on a winning streak.
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